Rope-making machine



` -c.'c. suNDl-:RLAND Jan. 13, 1931.

ROPEv MAKING MACHINE v j Filed Mg. :50,1927l `2 Sheets-Sh'eet v Y L 1. wuvmboz @Hom/miv vPatented Jan. 13, v1931 r ,LINGssoNs coin-PANY?,- or TRENTON,

' 'JERSEY Y ,f

lllA'H-IN'lr` canarias c. sUNDERLAND, or TRNTON, NEW :Ensim assienon 4noni;-

NEw .mnsmffh A oomforwrion `.orf

i applicati@ inea Aagsiao,1927,.serxainaaiaa f t breaking points, so that the'full Istrength This' invention relates; to machines for vmaklngwlre rope and Wirestrands'of that 'class inwhich a number of wire strands or wires are woundhelica'lly, usually on a metal or hemp core, the 'especial object being to improve that part of the mechanism in which the wiresor strands are laid up on the core and the rope strand or rope'closed.

The principal obf'ectiof the invention 'is to provide improved 'tension and closing means by which' the desired highJ uniform tension may be :assured and properly adjusted and the rope closed'under tension 'conditions uniform on all thewires or strands and lso that thefabricated rope or strand wi-ll be in a' conditionsimilar to that when 'its operating tension in service.

y Vunder The usual method of applying tension-to thewires or strands; hasbeen to equip 4vthe bobbins with adjustable brakes, so that the tension can be ,"regulatedA-When these brakes `are: applied so that the resulting vtension on thewires or's'trands leaving the bobbins is :comparatively light, kthe workman is able toadjust the tension on all the wires or strands with a fair degree of uniformity,v

i so 'thatthe fabricated v"rope is formed-under fairly lun'ifornr'tension conditions. Under the high tension required in heavy duty ropes, so that the tension lin the rope will secure yconditions substantially'similar to the yrope conditions when' under its operating conditions in services, it is very diflicult,'if

not! impossible,v for the workman to adjust the brakes on the'individual bobbins so as to i lgive the; required high tension and still individual Wires or strands under such high tensions being diiicult todetect and correct, although suflicient to give an unbalanced `rope condition suchthat theropes in service will not havea uniform tension on the individual wires vor strands, with thel result that the rope lwill show -`ununiform Wear and the wiresor strands willhave` ununiform `the ropeis not secured.

-ditions of therope 'service'. Wit stationary internal mandrelk assuring the closing of the rope withthe wires orstrands In accordance `withthek present invention, I employ a stationar mandrel aroundfwhich the Wires or stran sare wound inlayi'ng them" up tofor'm'therope and cl'osethej rope as the strands :or wires pass loff-the mandrel t underthefmandrel tension s o that the 'twisting of the strands'or wires' is done on the and' ma'intained in closing" the; rope, 'l and Vthis tension is readily adjustable without inter-` fering withuniformity5 so that the rope may f b e finished-:ata tenslon 'and under` conditlonsn'early approachingthe operatin conthis formed krand A closed 'on a fixed helical curve,

it is entirely practical,j-alsogto assure the desired helix inthe fnish'edrope, and in such manner thattheretention of this helixl in the rope will'fbe assured and therope will lie straight'when released and have notendency to twist or unwind.

The invention has, in addltion to theabove v general objects,- other morespeciicobjects land includes,- in addition to the features above referred to, various features ofcoustruction an'd combinations of parts which `will be more particularly described hereafter. 1"

For a full understanding ofthe invention, a detailed description of constructions em'- bodyin'g the' features ofthe invention in pre erred forms will now be given inv connection with theaccompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, `and the yfeatures forming the invention then be specifically pointed outin the claims.

Inrthe'drawi'ngs, which show the invention 'applied toa rope machine 0f common Figure 1 isf a diagrammatic sectional elevation of the 'bobbin'ca'rrying and rope closing portion ofthe machine;

Figure 2 's a"secti`onal elevation 'of-'fthe rope closing portion of the machine, similar to Fig. 1 but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a detail vertical section of the flyer mounting and mandrel support; y

Figure`4 is a sectional elevation o f the rope closing portion of the machine, s1m1lar to Fig. 2, showing a modification; v

Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections on the lines 5 and 6 of Fig. 4; l -""`Figure 7 is an enlarged planv view of-"a portion of the uide disc of Figs. 5 and 6;

` Figure 8 is a roken plan view of' a guide disc, showing a modification;

Figure 9 is a detail section similarto Fig. 2, showing a modification;

' Fi ure 10 is a cross section. Qn .the line 10 o Fig. 9. Y j

Referring to 'the drawings, the .iyer is shown `asl of common form, consisting of a central rotating standard 10 carrying the spiders 11in which are mounted the bobbin frames12 carrying the bobbins 13, this liyer being shownas carrying `at the to of the standard 10 the cap 14 ,having gu1de plate 15 through which the outer wires or.V strands `a: and the center or core y passtothe tension and closingdevices ofthe present invention,

and from whichthe finished rope X passes through the squeezer 16 of `common form.,v

heldin fixed position b the supportsl 17, and to the usual draw-o rolls and wind-up reel.V The fiyer and the bobbin frames are `shown as driven `-byz the usual planetar gearing, 18, being the driving shaft, whic drives the flyer through gears 19, 20 and the bobbin frames throughgears 2,1, 22, 23, 24. Any other suitable means forgiving the flyer and bobbinvframes the requlred movement may be used, the reverse movement of the bobbin frames relatively to the flyer acting to prevent or regulatethe torsion on the individual wires or strands as usual in such machines. y. v Y

Referring now to the, parts especially 4embodying the present invention, a is a hollow mandrel which is mountedin a stationary hollow standard, 25 fixed at thebase of the machine and around which the fiyer standard 10 revolves, the flyer standard 10 being shown as having a foot bearing consisting of wear'plates 26. The mandrel a is held stationary in the mandrel standard 25, as by being splined therein, but is adjustable longitudinally, being held in adjusted position by set screws 1 in vthe mandrel standard cap. The center or core g/ passes upward through the mandrel within the mandrel standard 25'and flyer standard 10. The mandrel isshown as of uniform diameter throughout, excepty that it is tapered -ofl at the upper end. to reduce the diameter of the helix and bring the wires ontoy the center or core y as they leave the mandrel.

- Around this ytapered portionor nose a of the mandrel a is a closing plate b formed with guiding grooves through which the strands or wires m pass about the mandrel nose, the mandrel thus forming an inner guide and the plate b external guides in closingl the wires m upon the center or core y. This closing plate b yis adjustable longitudinally of the mandrel by screws threaded in the sleeve 27 carrying the plate b and surrounding a guide block 28 through which the rope X passes from the mandrel and which may act as a squeezer to compress the strands ony the center. Above the block 28 is a setting plate 0 provided with guiding grooves forthe strands or wires of the rope X, this plate c being formed with an angular `stem 29 by whlch the plate c may be rotated for adjustment relatively to the mandrel a. This plate c, after adjustment, is locked in position by the end of one or more of the screws 2 entering openings in the plate so that, by withdrawing .these screws, the plate maybe adjusted and then locked in position by returning the screws. The platel b, block 28, .and plate c are rotated bythe rope strands and'for ease of movement a ball lbearing, 30 is. preferably kinserted above the plate c, this ball bearing beingheld in positionby cover plate 31. The ball bearing 30 andthe parts above mentionedl as rotating thereon,v are all mounted in block, 32' which slides longitudinally of .they mandrel on guides 33 and is adjusted and heldin vadjusted position by screws 34 having gears 35 thereon through which` the screws 34 are rotated by worm gearsv36 engaging gears` 35 andcarried `by hand operated shaft 37. The closing plate b, block 28 and setting plate c may thus be adjusted longitudinally of themandrel a, as

desired. e y f The operation of the machine as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and above described, and its adjustments, are as follows- The wires or strands a: from spools 13 are led through the vinclined passages in the flyer head and in the guide plate 15 to and around the mandrel a with the rope center or core y led through the mandrel. Interchangeable guide plates 15 are used, so that by the insertion-of different guide plates,thel angle at whichvthe strands or wires are led -to the mandrel may be varied. ',Ihe strands or wires a: pass from-the nose a of the mandrel under the control ofthe guiding grooves in closing plate bf and the closed rope then passes through` @the l guide block 2,8 and through the guiding grooves in setting plate 0. The setting plate is formed to compress the strands 4or wires w upon the center or corey and compact the rope, while at the same time tightening the helix of the rope, as formed, on leavingthe mandrel. There is no ytwisting of the strandsvor wires upon the center or core y after leaving the mandrelexcept such( tightening of the helix as my be'secured bysetting-plate c.

curate adjustment of the parts for the 1 formation of the exact helix desired and the laying of' the; strands or wires w upon the center orcore g/4 in this helix, so that the rope will lie straight when-released and not j .tend to twist .or unwind,.is secured by the adjustments' shown. The mandrel may be adjusted longitudinally. and the closin plate 5f adjustedlongitudinally of the man rel so as to secure justthe closing effect desired .as the strands or wiresleave the mandrel. The

` block 32 with all the closing and setting de- "vices carried therebymay be adjusted longitudinally with the mandrel, so as to vary thenumber of turns of the wires or'strands upon the mandrel andthus vary the tension, which ma be adjusted, also, by lthe 'angle at whicht e strands or wiresare laid on the mandrel' from the interchangeable guide yplates 15. The vsettingplatejc `may be adjusted by its angularl stem 29 and then locked in position soas tovary andvtix accurately the tightening of the helixv as the p v rope passes through the setting plate c.

The machine shown-in Figs. 1 to 3 and kabove vdescribed is entirely satisfactory for many, strands or ropes, but` forropes used under ,very highy tensions, a fuller control of the. strands or'wires inpassing over the mandrel and during the operation, is` desirable.` A construction adapted especially for such high'tension ropes is shown in Figs.

4 kto 8', and this construction, of course, may

f be used in making low tension ropes.

The construction shown in Figs. k4 to 8 generally the same asfshovv'nl in Figs. 1 to 3 `.and above described, except that the strands yorfwires are, positively controlled and guided byrotating 'guidesas .they pass over the mandrel. As shown, a series of adjustable guide plates is used between the rotating. guide plate 151011 the lyer, andthe closing plate b at the end of themandrel, these adjustable and' closing plates rotating withthe flyer standard 10, so as to hold the strands or wires in position on the mandrel throughout its length, and assure the proper guiding of the strands orwires and they accurate formati'on ofthe strands or wires to the helix desired. fThese guide plates are interchangeable, as in the caseot guide plate 15, so that different plates may be used according to the layof' thestrands or wires on the mandrel and thus a Wide variety of ropes made. T wo suchv guide plates 38, 39 are shown, although any desired number of such plates, or a single plate extending over a sufficient portion of the mandrel, may be used. -With a single plate vor sleeve, however, interchangeable plates or sleeves must be used forditferent lays. These guide plates 38, 39, are adjustably mounted in a sleeve 40`secured to the sleeve 27 carrying the closing plate b, and

thisnsleeve 40 extends downward outside a sleeve 41 extendingupward Jfrom the flyer and carrying guide plate 15. Sleeve-40 is formedv with screw threads 3 `on the outside on Which--work nuts 4 carrying plates 42 in which guidefplates. 38,39 are mounted.' `The plates/12 carrying the guideplates 38, 39, are held against frotation, while free tomove vertically withthe sleeves or nuts 4fby lugs 5 n at-opposites'ides of the plates 42 running in slots-6in. the sleeve 40, the two halves of the sleeve formedby thejslots being connected at the lower end by loops 7. The sleeve 40 is V free tomove vertically along ilyerextension `L11-but is Lsplined thereto so as to rot-atefwith the flyer, andpthus `the flyer `rotates all the rope guiding and closing yparts about the mandrel up to the settingplace .0, which -is rotated'by the ropestrands.y The sleeve.40

and guide4 plates 38, 39, carried thereby are thus adjusted vertically with the other parts bythe vertical movement of theblock 32, and

theguideplates 38, 39, as well as the closing plate b, are all adjustable longitudinally of .the mandrel independently: of the other parts. f

In the .constructions shown in Figs. 4 to 8, the angular adjustment .of' the setting platee is 'not provided-for, and the setting placecmay simply compress .the strands on the center, but in the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10, vthe block 28 i's-adjusted longitudinally of the mandrel,thus varying the action of the plate a according to the space left betweenitfand the block 28. This result is securedby adjustingjscrews 8 running freely through the sleeve '27 and screwthreaded in annular flange on block 28, as shown in Fig. 9, vso thatthe rotation of these screws adjusts the\ block.28as desired, while vthe plate ,b is adjusted relativelyto the/block 28 by: the-screws 2 previously described. 1' v '1 A In some cases yitmay be found desirable to reduce the size of the mandrel a fora portion otits length near the kclosing plate so-that` a large mandrel with the increased tension thus'secured may be used, while at the same time they kstrands or wires are brought4 closer together on a smallermandrel before closing, with the resulting advantage of better formingthe strands; or

if the guiding surfaces are of considerable length. By making the plates thin, however, the, guiding surfaces need not be helical but tangential to the helix on the mandrel at that point, and this is the preferred construction becauseof the difficulty i of making helical passages.

lVhile the invention has been illustrated in a construction embodying all its features in the form now preferred by me, and certain modifications thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions or arrangement of parts shown, .but that many modifications other than those shown or described may be made by those skilled in the art, while retaining the invention defined by the claims.

What is -claimed is:

1. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel having a passage for the strand or rope core and about which the wires or strands are wrapped helically and in coils arranged to tension the wires or strands uniformly, and means for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, in combination with strand or rope closing means.

2. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel having a passage for the strand or rope core and about which the wires or strands are y wrapped helically and in coils arranged to tension the wires or strands uniformly, and means for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, in combination with adjustable means for varying the angle of the wires or strands on the mandrel, and strand or rope closing means.

3. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a. stationary tension mandrel having a passage for the strand or rope core and about which the wires or strands are wrapped helically and in coils arranged to tension the wires or strands uniformly, and, means for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, in combination with adjustable means for varying the number of wraps of the wires or strands on the mandrel, and strand or rope closing means.

4. In awire rope strand or rope making drel, and strand or rope closing means.

5. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationar tension mandrel having a passage for t e strand or`rope core and about which the wires or strands are wrapped helieally'and in coils arranged to tensionthe wires or 'strands uniformly, and means for -drawing the,k helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under' l such tension, 1n combination w1th strand or rope closing means, and-means for adjusting the closing means longitudinally of the mandrel.: f

6. In a wirerope strand or rope making machine, a. stationary tension mandrel about which the wires or strands are wrapped helically and in coils arranged to tension the wires or strands uniformly, and means for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, in combination with strandy or ro, closing means, a wire or strand guide enc osing the mandrel andl adjustable longitudinally of the mandrel, and means for adjusting the closing means longitudinally of the mandrel.

7. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel having a passage for the strand or rope core and about which the wires or strands are wrapped helically and in coils arranged to tension the wires or strands uniformly, and means for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, in combination with strand guides enclosing the end of the mandrel.

8. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationar tension mandrel having a passage for t e strand or rope' core and about which the wires or strands are wrapped helically and in coils arranged to tension the wires or strands uniformly, and means for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, said mandrel being formed with the end tapering inward tothe rope core, in combination with strand guides enclosing the yend of the mandrel.

9. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel having a passage forl the strand or rope core and about-which the Wires or strands are wrapped helically, in combination with strand guides enclosing theend of the mandrel, and a setting plate with guides for the rope to which the ropev passes from Ithe iirst mentioned guides.

10.- In a wire rope strand-or rope making machine, a stationary tension 'mandrel about whichthe wires or .strands are wrapped helically, in combination with strand guides enclosing the end of the mandrel, and rotating guides extending along the mandrel for controlling the 'strands or wires. v f s `11. lIn a wire rope strand or'rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel about which thewires or strands arek wrapped helically,in combination with strand guides enclosin ing gui es consisting of a series of adjustable plates extending along the mandrel for controlling the strands or wires.

12. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel about which 'the wires or .strands are wrap ed helically, in combination with a closing p ate having wire or strand passages enclosing.

the end of the mandrel and rotating about the mandrel.

13. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel about Vwhich the Wires or strandsl are wrapped helically, in combination with a closing plate rotating about the mandrel and having wire or strand passages enclosing theend of the mandrel and adjustable longitudinally of the mandrel. s

14. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel about which the wires or strands are fwrapped'heli- ,l cally, in combination with a closing plate v rotatable with the strands or wires andhaving strand passages enclosing the end ofthe mandrel, and a setting plate havin guides beyond the closing plate andvrotata le relatively to the closing plate.

. 15; In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationarytension mandrel about cally,

f which the wires or strands are wrapped heliin combination with a closing plate rotatable with the strandsor wires and having strand passages enclosing the end of the mandrel, a setting plate rotatable with the strands or wires and having guides. beyond the closing plate and rotatable relatively to the closing plate, means for adjusting the mandrel longitudinally, and means for adjusting the closing and setting plates longitudinally of the mandrel.

l 16. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel, in 'combination' with -a flyer, drel, rope closing means, anda guide with passages for the strands or wlres extending along the mandrel and carried by the flyer. 4

In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, ka stationary tensionmandrel, 1n

y combination with `a flyer, b

strands or wires rare wrapped a out'the manthe end of the mandrel, and rotatmachine,

by which they strands or wires are wrapped about the manwhich the guide consisting ofsa series of plates adjust,y n the man-l able relatively to eachother` alon drol, rope closingzmeans, and aguide con` v l which` thel strands or wiresare wrapped a outthe maiidrel with passages for the stran sfor wires and carried by the flyer.

k19. Iny a wire yrope strand or rope making a stationary tension mandrel, in combination with a flyer, b lwhich thev machine,

strands orlwires are Wrapped a out the man-k 'f drel, a closingfp'late carried b `theflyer and"- coacting with the end of t e mandrel, a"

guide consistingof-a series of plates adjustable relatively to each other alon the mansl drel with passages Jfor the stran s or wires and carried by the flyer,and a setting plate with guides beyond the closing plate.v

20. In a wire rope strand or rope making 4 the combination with stationary mandrel @of closing plate b having strand passages enclosing the end of the mandrel, settingplate o having'strand passages, a spacin block between the plates, and means for adjusting the closing plate toward and` away from the setting plate.

' 21. In a wire rope strandv or rope making machine, the combination with stationary mandrel a, of closing plate 'b havingwire or strand passages enclosing the end of the mandrel, setting plate -c having wireor` strand passages,a spacing block between the plates, means f or'adjusting the closing plate as a unit longitudinally of the mandrel.

22.In a wire rope strand or ro e making machine, a stationary tension man rel a having a passage for the strand or rope core and about which the wiresor strands are wrappedV helically and in coils arranged to tension .l p v the wires -or kstrands uniformly, and means for drawingfthe helicallyy Wrapped Wires or vtoward and away from the setting plate, and means for adjusting the plates and block strands over the mandrel under such tension,

said tension mandrel havin the `reduced sec-J tion a2 next the closing'en incombinationfl with strand or rope closing means.V

23. In a wire rope strand or rope making machine, a stationary tension mandrel a havingfa passage for the strand ory rope core and about which .the wires or strands are wrapped helically and in coils arrangedto tension the Wires or strands uniformly, and

vmeans for drawing the helically wrapped wires or strands over the mandrel under such tension, said tension mandrel Yhaving taperedY closing end a and "the reduced Ysection 1a.?

next the closing end, in combination with strand Or rope Closing means. n 24. A Wire strand or Wire guide plate having detachable pins mounted n the guide s plate transversely to the path of the strand or Wire, said pins having strand or Wire `gulde surfaces formed 1n then` ends.

In testimony whereof, have hereunto set my hand. k j

CHARLES C. SUNDERLAND.

es n 

